In 1948, the 200-inch reflecting telescope at the Palomar Mountain Observatory in California was dedicated.

In 1963, Pope John XXIII died at age 81. He was succeeded by Pope Paul VI.

In 1981, Pope John Paul II left a Rome hospital and returned to the Vatican three weeks after the attempt on his life.

In 1989, Iran’s spiritual leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, died.

In 1989, Chinese army troops began their sweep of Beijing to crush student-led pro-democracy demonstrations.

Ten years ago: The FBI pulled the plug on electricity at the Freemen ranch in Montana in an attempt to persuade the occupants to negotiate an end to the 71-day-old standoff. During joint war games in the Pacific, a Japanese destroyer mistakenly shot down an American attack plane; two U.S. Navy aviators ejected safely.

Five years ago: Alejandro Toledo defeated ex-president Alan Garcia in Peru’s presidential election. Actor Anthony Quinn died in Boston at age 86. Mel Brooks’ musical comedy “The Producers” won a record 12 Tony Awards. Golfer Karrie Webb won the U.S. Women’s Open in a runaway for the second year in a row.

One year ago: U.S. military officials said no guard at the Guantanamo Bay prison for terror suspects had flushed a detainee’s Quran down the toilet, but disclosed there were instances in which Qurans were abused by guards, intentionally or accidentally. The child molestation case against Michael Jackson went to the jury after the defense concluded its closing argument (Jackson was acquitted).